We visited the exhibition "Il était une première fois" with Gérard Holtz, dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Stade Louis-II.

When it comes to sports, Gérard Holtz is as excited as he was on the first day. The former France Télévisions sports journalist is curating the exhibition celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Stade Louis-II, whose scenography was entrusted to a former member of the Pavillon Bosio, Ahmad Reshad. The exhibition is located on the interior pedestrian street to reach as many people as possible. "It's incredible the number of kids who come here to go to judo, fencing, or swimming; the idea is to go back in time with all the firsts."

On the wall are plastered photos, illustrations and press articles from all the premieres, even non-sporting ones, such as the filming of a documentary on Jean-Paul Belmondo.

"We wanted it to be lively, very colorful, with lots of mixes, and the reminder of the dates on the wall. Just talking about it gives me goosebumps. We are entering the history of sport, of the Stade Louis-II and of Monaco. All visitors, whatever their age, will find a hook that will bring back memories," assures Gérard Holtz, his tone as passionate and exciting as ever.

The tour began in 1985, the year the Stade Louis-II was inaugurated. Completed since the end of 1984, the stadium was inaugurated on January 26, 1985. This was followed by the first football match: "Monaco - Lens, the first football match at the stadium a few days after the inauguration... 3-0 for Monaco, as I remember," says Gérard Holtz. The inscription next to the photo reads: "the fact that the attendant, not being used to handling the scoreboard, first wrote the score as 30-0, before correcting it, arousing the hilarity of the 6,386 spectators."

In 1991, the first world record was set at the Herculis meeting, in the 4 x 100 meters, by the American dream team of the Santa Monica Track Club, Carl Lewis, Mike Marsh, Leroy Burrell and Floyd Heard, in 37:79. A time that equaled that of the French team relay runners who held the record with a similar time. "The four American runners were the best in the world," recalls the former France Télévisions journalist. "At the end of the race, they put on their club uniforms again, it was an absolutely incredible moment on this legendary track that has seen many world records."

One of the iconic sporting events that took place at the Louis-II: the first world record in 100m freestyle set in Monaco in 1994 by Alexander Popov. In 48” 21'. "I have a little thrill for Popov," says Gérard Holtz, who ranks this event as one of his favorites experienced in the Principality.

Among the 14 display cases in the exhibition, which showcase the sports played at the Louis-II, one is dedicated to the AS Monaco footballers. "The Prince was pleased to lend us two jerseys from his collection that he played in," says Gérard Holtz.

The tour ends with the year 2025. That year, Monaco becomes the capital of sport, and the Stade Louis II celebrates four decades of excitement. "I hope the Roca Team wins the Euroleague for the first time, so we can update the year 2025," he says.